Doug Bandow - The Japan Times

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Doug Bandow

For Doug Bandow's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:

COMMENTARY

Jun 22, 2005

Private aid opportunities

NIAS ISLAND, Indonesia -- The flotsam of disaster was everywhere: trash, bricks, splintered wood, household effects, clothes, debris. Buildings by the ocean were mostly leveled. Across the road several structures survived, barely: Only their side walls, perpendicular to the water, still stood. Plastic...

COMMENTARY

Jun 19, 2005

Energy plan that terminates the econom

WASHINGTON -- "We're all Keynesians now," declared U.S. President Richard M. Nixon when he surrendered his fiscal policies to liberal orthodoxy. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger did much the same with his recent executive order calling for draconian cuts in the emission of "greenhouse gases" linked...

COMMENTARY

May 16, 2005

Relax, breathe, leave the smokers alone

WASHINGTON -- One of the most persecuted minorities in America, and increasingly in other countries, is smokers. U.S. cities and states have imposed ever more Draconian restrictions on lighting up a cigarette, and a bipartisan coalition of paternalistic legislators on Capitol Hill now is pushing for...

COMMENTARY

Apr 28, 2005

New biotech miracles won't come cheap

WASHINGTON -- The California biotechnology industry recently gathered for its annual CALBIO conference. Participants were excited at the prospect of developing new medical miracles. But the potential of government interference hung over the proceedings like dark clouds on the horizon.

COMMENTARY

Apr 9, 2005

Can John Bolton save the United Nations?

WASHINGTON -- The United Nations is a mess. Often corrupt and venal, always inefficient and wasteful, frequently captured by the worst political interests, and commonly motivated by the most extreme ideological impulses, the organization is anything but "the last great hope of mankind." If anyone can...

COMMENTARY

Mar 27, 2005

Who decides life and death?

WASHINGTON -- Last week the U.S. Congress voted to try to save, at least temporarily, the life of Terri Schiavo, who otherwise would slowly starve to death at the hospice in the state of Florida in which she is confined.

COMMENTARY

Nov 24, 2004

Patients are paying dearly for WHO political priorities

WASHINGTON -- When the SARS epidemic was circling the globe, the World Health Organization (WHO) purported to be leading efforts to treat the disease. But the WHO was reluctant to send staffers to hard-hit Taiwan due to its extensive ties with China.

COMMENTARY

Nov 16, 2004

Locals foot bill in sports stadium scam

WASHINGTON -- Not long ago Washington, D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams and the city's political elite held a triumphant press conference announcing the return of baseball. League officials began counting nearly a half billion dollars in public subsidies.

COMMENTARY

Nov 8, 2004

Conservatives sold their souls

WASHINGTON -- After Nov. 2 the Republican Party seems to have it all: continued possession of the U.S. presidency and expanded control of Congress. Ironically, however, President George W. Bush's victory has killed America's conservative movement. The Republican Party and conservative movement have lost...

COMMENTARY

Nov 1, 2004

Withdrawal is the only honorable way out

WASHINGTON -- Iraq has become the central issue in America's presidential campaign, but neither candidate has a solution for a conflict that has cost more than 1,100 American lives. Unfortunately, the killing will continue until the United States and its allies withdraw their forces, leaving Iraq to...

COMMENTARY

Oct 18, 2004

Afghanistan: the world's opium market

WASHINGTON -- Afghanistan's presidential elections came off with little violence but some damaging controversy. President Hamid Karzai's 15 opponents charged vote fraud.

COMMENTARY

Sep 20, 2004

'Fat liberation' movement declares war

WASHINGTON -- Another civil-rights movement is stirring in America. A "fat liberation" movement. Complains Marilyn Wann of the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance, "We're living in the middle of a witch hunt."

COMMENTARY

Sep 2, 2004

Orphans vex bureaucracy

WASHINGTON -- Humanitarian crises encircle the globe. Violent resistance afflicts Iraq. Mass death from starvation and war threatens Sudan. Millions have died in other conflicts across Africa. No one has much time for Myanmar (formerly Burma).

COMMENTARY

Aug 29, 2004

Refighting the Medicare budget battle

WASHINGTON -- Medicare, which offers health-care coverage for America's elderly, faces trillions of dollars of unfunded liabilities. Unfortunately, legislators are constantly tempted to increase benefits and thus spending. They should resist their inner darkness as the Bush administration attempts to...

COMMENTARY

Aug 22, 2004

Withdrawal of U.S. forces a good start

WASHINGTON -- President George W. Bush has proposed bringing home upwards of 70,000 U.S. troops stationed in Asia and Europe. It's a good start, but remains only a start. Washington should withdraw all 230,000 service personnel guarding against phantom enemies in Europe and protecting well-heeled friends...

COMMENTARY

Aug 7, 2004

LNG can lighten California's energy load

WASHINGTON -- California, America's most populous state, risks tumbling into yet another energy crisis. The only answer is increased supplies, which require new investment -- including in facilities for liquefied natural gas (LNG).

COMMENTARY

Jul 16, 2004

Lawyers set sights on alcohol producers

WASHINGTON -- There's nothing new about lawyers, especially in the United States, attempting to profit from tragedy. When an individual dies after behaving irresponsibly, an attorney always can be found to blame someone with deep pockets.

COMMENTARY

Jul 12, 2004

Bush goes to work with the whitewash

WASHINGTON -- Former U.S. President Bill Clinton's commitment to doing the popular thing politically was legendary. He has met his match, however. If anything, President George W. Bush is even more devoted to turning everything to his political advantage.

COMMENTARY

May 20, 2004

A Kerry victory would curtail spending

WASHINGTON -- Republicans control both the White House and Congress, but Washington, D.C. remains a fiscal sinkhole. The best hope for budget probity is to turn over one branch of government to the Democrats.

COMMENTARY

May 16, 2004

U.S. drug laws threaten public health

WASHINGTON -- The current and previous presidents of the United States used marijuana. So has presumptive Democratic nominee John Kerry. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has admitted to drug use. Conservative radio talk-show host Rush Limbaugh, who once beat the drums for jailing white junkies,...

From easily navigable train stations to the helpfulness of its municipal staff, Tokyo has earned high praise for its commitment to accessibility for disabled travelers.

[Rebroadcast] Japan is doing better on accessibility than you may think

Things may look perfect to the outside world, but today's mom is fine with some imperfection at home.

How 'Reiwa moms' are reshaping motherhood in Japan

By Mai Yoshikawa

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Live like a lord or lady for a night at Ozu Castle

Live like a lord or lady for a night at Ozu Castle

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